Boden Reach First Final

14 February 2016

Ballyboden ST. Endas 0-15 Clonmel Commercials 0-10 (AET)

Ballyboden St. Endas dramatically yesterday qualified for an historic first AIB All Ireland Senior Football Club final thanks to a power packed 5 point extra time Semi Final triumph over Tipperary outfit Clonmel Commercials at O Moore Park in Portlaoise. Not for the first time in their epic journey the Firhouse Road outfit had to dig deep into their reserves to produce the goods. With 10 minutes left they lost long serving midfielder Declan O Mahony to a straight red card and were staring down the barrel of defeat as Clonmel opened up a 3 point lead 0-10 to 0-7.

Andy Mc Entees charges worked hard in their bid to at the very least force extra time in the freezing conditions, skipper Daragh Nelson raiding from his centre half back position, proved to be one of his sides heroes by kicking the levelling score with the last kick of the 60 mins.

There was a certain amount of argument from the Tipperary men who were adament Nelson had taken to many steps before unleasing his monster of a kick into the Abbeyleix end goal. The score was allowed to stand and the big crowd were preparing for 20 mins extra in the freezing conditions in the Midlands. Once extra time started Boden being encouraged by a huge travelling support seized control of the constest.

The Dublin and Leinster Champions scored 5 points without reply to storm their way to a most impressive win. The ever lively Andrew Kerin Ryan Basquel and Conal Keaney were to the fore. It was a win celebrated with tremendous passion by the South Dublin clubs fans who swarmed onto the O Moore Park pitch to acclaim their heroes. Already plans for the biggest day in the history of the club are well underway for March 17th at Croke Park. Castlebar Mitchells will provide the opposition as they beat the mighty Crossmaglen Rangers on Saturday afternoon in the other semi final.